Trainee clinical psychologists’ experience of mandatory personal psychotherapy in the context of professional training

Abstract

The professional and personal impact of mandatory personal therapy (MPT) on clinical psychologists in training was explored through qualitative analysis of interviews with nine intern clinical psychologists. Participants’ reported initial resistance to treatment, but subsequently came to own and value their therapy as an indispensable professional resource. MPT reduces expectations of clinical supervision, while clinical training and personal therapy were viewed as reciprocally enhancing components of professional growth. Participants believed that they benefitted personally from their treatment and that the compulsory nature of the therapy did not compromise its positive effects. While providing containment and support during the personally challenging clinical training, MPT is itself emotionally taxing, financially stressing, and affects personal relationships in complex ways.

Keywords:

• mandatory personal therapy
• clinical psychology training
• thematic analysis

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gavin Ivey

Dr Gavin Ivey is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Psychology Programs at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. He was formerly the Coordinator of the Doctoral Psychology Program at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, where this research was conducted. Email: [email protected].

Corné Waldeck

Corné Waldeck is a clinical psychologist and graduate of University of the Witwatersrand. She works at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. Email: [email protected].